Chapter 2 - The Person of the Holy Spirit

INTRODUCTION

In Acts 19:6, what do the recipients do in addition to speaking in tongues after receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit?

They prophesied.

Henderson states “Prophesying is not only foretelling; it is also a forthtelling of something through people, from God.” What is the difference between these two aspects of prophecy?

Foretelling is telling what will happen in the future. Forthtelling is simply proclaiming the Word of God and will of God in a person’s life.

What does Paul say about prophecy in 1 Corinthians 14? What is its purpose? What does it do? How is it related to tongues?

V1 - Desire to prophesy. V3 - Prophecy speaks edification and comfort. V5 - Prophecy edifies the church. Prophecy is related to tongues in that both are messages from God. Tongues must be interpreted to be beneficial to others.

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD

Read Acts 5:3-4. How does Henderson use this verse to show that the Holy Spirit is completely God?

V3 says that Ananias lied to the Holy Spirit. V4 says that he lied to God. So the two are the same.

Henderson shares a personal example where people “innocently” joked about the moving of the Holy Spirit in his life. A leader at the ministry where he was chastised the people for doing this. Was this leader right for correcting this behavior? Is there a danger of disrespecting the Holy Spirit?

Yes, as long as he did it in the correct spirit. He was trying to teach them a lesson about honoring the Holy Spirit. There is a danger in disrespecting the Holy Spirit. Mockery of the moving of the Spirit is one example.

GUARDING AGAINST OVERFAMILIARITY

Read Mark 6:3-6. Why did the people not honor Jesus? What caused Jesus to marvel? What does this teach us about the connection between honor and faith?

They just saw Him as Jesus, the son of Joseph the Carpenter. They did not honor Him as the Son of God. Jesus marvelled because of their unbelief. You will honor what you hold in high regard. Faith in God is a natural response to honoring God for who He is.

Read Galatians 4:13-16. Consider how the Galatian treated Paul at first versus after he had been with them for a while. How does Henderson relate this to the effectiveness of a pastor? How can we related this to our own relationship with the Holy Spirit?

They treated him like an angel of God in the beginning. But now their love for him had soured. Pastors often become ineffective because people become too familiar with them. Another preacher or evangelist can come in and they respond to that person. It is not because the pastor is not anointed, it is because the people have become too familiar with the pastor. The same thing can happen in our relationship with the Holy Spirit. We can become too familiar and get stuck in a rut of the same old things instead of keeping a fresh fire burning every day.

THREE SINS AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT

The first sin against the Holy Spirit stated by Henderson is grieving Him. What does Henderson say is the result of grieving the Holy Spirit? What should that result in our lives in accordance with 2 Corinthians 7:1?

Hopefully it results in conviction. Conviction should result in change by pursuing holiness in our lives.

The second sin against the Holy Spirit stated by Henderson is quenching Him. What does it mean to quench the Holy Spirit as stated in 1 Thessalonians 5:19? Henderson says, “When we quench Him, we are shutting down His desire to manifest Himself in power and glory through His gifts and endowments.” Do you agree with Henderson’s statement?

The word quench means to put out a flame. Like putting out a candle. I agree with Henderson. I do not think the Holy Spirit will operate where He is not wanted.

The third sin against the Holy Spirit stated by Henderson is blaspheming against Him. Read Matthew 12:24-32. What is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? Why is this sin unforgivable?

Blasphemy is attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to the devil. You can’t have faith in Jesus and receive salvation and reject the Holy Spirit.

WALKING IN COMMUNION WITH GOD

Read 2 Corinthians 13:14. What flows out of who Jesus is? What flows out of who God the Father is? What does the Holy Spirit provide?

Grace flows out of Jesus. Love flows from God. Communion flows from the Holy Spirit.

Henderson states, “The Holy Spirit desires to bring us into intimacy with God.” Then He uses 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 to say that intimacy with the Holy Spirit reveals to us the secrets of God. Do you agree with Henderson? Do you see any issues with seeking for secret knowledge?

I do agree that the Holy Spirit desires to bring us into intimacy with God. However, I also believe that there can be a problem with trying to seek God for secret knowledge. This can lead to gnosticism. Gnosticism emphasizes attaining personal, secret knowledge over the Word of God.

Henderson says, “We definitely need the Holy Spirit, but He also needs us.” Do you think it is correct to say that God need us?

We definitely need the Holy Spirit. I think it is correct to say that the Holy Spirit desires to cooperate with us to accomplish His will. However, I do not think it is correct to say that the Holy Spirit needs us in that He can’t accomplish anything without us. God needs nothing or no one. He is completely self-sufficient.